2013 Ford Escape

The Great Escape?

Twelve years after it entered the market as a family-friendly, reasonably sized sport/utility box, the Ford Escape finally is getting the attention to design that something this popular deserves. The ironic thing is the outgoing model is flying off dealer lots, thanks in part to end-of-lifecycle discounting and the shortage of key Japanese competitors Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

The new 2013 model, which goes on sale in the first half of '12, converges like most of the rest of non-F-Series/Mustang North American models with their European counterparts. The new one looks much more like the replacement for the European Ford Kuga than for the U.S. Escape. In Europe, the compact crossover with two rows of seating is far more popular, and far easier to find, than the three-row midsize and large crossovers that serve as replacements for full-on sport/utilities as well as minivans here.

Ford unveiled the Escape Wednesday at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The new model does share one thing in common with the F-150, and indeed the new Focus and Fiesta: It tries to be the compact crossover for everyone, with a long list of features that allows aspiring and luxury buyers alike to load up the option sheet without paying for a prestige name. Like the Focus Titanium vs. the Verano, it could compete with Buicks.

The new model tosses out any V-6 option for three four-cylinder engines -- two of them turbocharged gas direct-injection EcoBoosts -- while maintaining a 3500-pound tow rating with either front- or all-wheel drive. The Escape Hybrid is scrubbed, with no apparent plans to reintroduce one in the future. Ford's C-Max will be hybrid-only in the North American market, with a distinctive hybrid shape like the new Toyota Prius V, and without the heavy, mpg-sapping all-wheel-drive option. We also expect the '13 Fusion, which will be Ford's biggest new car intro of the model year when it bows at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, to carry on with a hybrid powertrain option.

The '13 Escape's carryover 2.5-liter four will be a price leader engine accounting for just 10 percent of sales, mostly to rental fleets. Its mainstream "replacement" is a new 1.6-liter EcoBoost rated at 173 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four will replace the 3.0-liter V-6 and make "at least" 237 horsepower and 250 lb-ft. Ford expects the EcoBoost engines to split the other 90 percent of sales.

Though EPA fuel economy ratings will be released closer to the new Escape's on-sale date, Ford estimates up to 5 mpg better than the current Escape, with the 2.0 making more torque than a Toyota RAV4 V-6, and achieving higher fuel economy than a Honda CR-V, which is rated 23/31 mpg FWD, 22/30 mpg AWD. Ford says the current Escape sells about 50/50 front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive, and expects that kind of split to continue with the new model, but that seems high. An AWD take rate like the Chevrolet Equinox's 28.7 percent seems pretty reasonable, though Ford likes to think of itself as the SUV leader, and more likely to attract buyers who aspire to go off-road.

Escape's "Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive" puts 35 percent to 80 percent of the torque to the rear wheels, and constantly evaluates road conditions to adjust the split. There is no driver control. With AWD or FWD, the new Escape will come with the full complement of Ford's latest nannies, including torque vectoring control, curve control, hill start assist, electronic brake assist, roll stability control, trailer sway control, and torque steer compensation. Curve control uses the ABS to "correct" impending oversteer or understeer in tight, fast off-ramps and the like, in both the FWD and the AWD versions. It cannot be turned off, and if it's anything like the system introduced in the new Explorer, it will feel anal in its responses to any enthusiast who tries to push the Escape faster than the posted limit in a curve or off-ramp. So it's probably just right for the vast majority of customers for this type of vehicle. Conversely, Ford promises "sportier" steering and handling than the RAV4 or CR-V.

Tangible showroom features will include interior quality up to the modern standard, and a simplified MyFordTouch reverting to actual knobs for radio volume and tuning. It also will have Ford's hands-free liftgate, which allows you to open it simply by sliding your foot under the rear bumper when your hands are full, as long as the key fob is in your pocket. Improvements to MyFordTouch also include more tactile climate and navigation controls, a reaction to thorough market research Ford conducted to fix the updated version of Sync that sold so many cars and trucks in the last few years, and is now blamed for helping sink Ford's quality scores. Ford shouldn't worry so much. The hands-free liftgate is a cool enough feature to distract most buyers from any finicky MyFordTouch controls. It could be Ford's biggest wagon-back feature breakthrough since the magic liftgate on 1966 models, and will assure that the Escape remains one of the most popular models in its class for years to come.

I actually traded in my Volkswagen Jetta for the 2013 Escape SE and I am surprisingly completely happy with my purchase. Car buying is subjective and that is why reviews should hold no bearing when making such a big purchase. My wife and I spent weeks test driving various CUV's of all makes and models but the both of us agreed the 2013 Ford Escape SE had all the amenities and safety features that we needed to have in order for me to put my credit, money, and family on the line. No vehicle will be perfect and all will have their pro's and con's; in my case the 2013 Ford Escape SE had more pro's than con's. Formulate your own opinion by actually doing research and test driving and not relying on the word of other people.

Wow. This thing is hideous. Two words for anyone looking for an AWD CUV that actually looks like a CUV: Subaru Forester. The new Escape may be the best thing that ever happened to Subaru! Unfortunately, I think I may have purchased my last Ford.

The overall new design is excellent, but I really disagree with the new turbo engines. They all need premium gas. The current base 4cyl engine produces 171 horses with around 28mpg on regular gas. The new mid level power plant only has minimal gains. With gas prices the way they are now, I don't think their that much economical.

Its a big change form the previous model, but I think for the most part it looks great. One design decision that I question however is the lower front grill opening. It's different from the European version (Kuga) and I think it makes the US Escape look less aggressive and more "economy". The lower grill opening on the the Escape is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. On the Kuga it is wider on the bottom. The upper grill is slightly larger too. Overall, the front on Kuga gives the whole vehicle a better look - more aggressive, not as narrow, and more firmly planted on the ground. Look at Ford's UK site and compare http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Kuga. But I still give Ford credit for finally bringing over some of the great designs that we were missing out on here in the US.

MRT,The current Escape was based on the Mazda 626 platform that was introduced during '97-'98, depending on market. The Fiesta having as much legroom as the Focus is more of a reflection on the Focus than on the space efficiency achieved by the Fiesta. There are roomier cars in each of their classes. It would be nice if this article offered more information on the passenger and luggage space provided by the new Escape. The last one was pretty efficient in its packaging, but the new one looks like another of Ford's new products that compromise room in the name of styling.

Just wanted to comment, but why all the Ford haters? I own a new Fiesta and have found that it has just as much legroom as the Focus and almost as much as the Fusion. How is this not a good use of space? Also, unlike the Focus, my PowerShift auto works very well with a hiccup rarely.This new Escape looks nice and is obviously based off the Focus architecture. But that does not make it weak. The previous Escape, which I also like, was based off the older Taurus architecture and is a competent all terrain vehicle. Not Jeep perhaps, but it does have a good suspension.Finally, I bought a Ford because my Honda failed me, and the Hyundais and Kias still are not very nice inside. I will never by GM again after all the problems I had with their products, in the late 90's until 2003. Also, GM took govt. money while Ford struggled back to prosperity amid bad economic times. Give them a chance I say.MRT

It looks better than most of the vehicles in this class. The Sportage, CX-5, and this Escape will give Honda CR-V better competition. The target market is the many people who are buying cars that look similar or worse than the car they are building. Not that hard to figure out, and Ford knows how to sell vehicles.

I agree that the new Escape will now have a very good chance to stand at the top of sales in this CUV category. The EcoBoost 2.0l with 240HP and ability to tow 3,500lbs alone will move everyone who owns trailers loaded with things like snowmobiles, ATV's, Jet Skis, a bass boat or a regular sized camper over from all the other competitors.

Alan may have rescued Ford financially, but why does it seem J.Mays is in a coma or locked away in some basement? Almost all the new models - Fiesta, Focus and now this thing - are completely Asian-centric generic, with gratuitous accents and molded taillights. Switch the Blue Oval for a Kia or Hyundai or Honda Badge and NOBODY would be the wiser.The former chairman of Boeing may know finance, but distinctive design - not so much.

Ford has come a long way from where they were just a few short years ago when the F-150 and Explorer effectively carried company sales while other companies focused on small cars and family sedans. Now look where they are today. They have been rolling out new models that appeal to the masses. While many of us, me included like the old Escape, the new one is much better in looks and design. Folks, there is a reason why the CRV and RAV4 outsold the Escape. I call it curb appeal. Now the Escape has evolved to compete with the others in looks and design with a better set of powertrain options. What more can we ask for.

Ford has done some great things; however, for each great thing they do, they screw up two more. All of their new designs have the least efficient use of interior space on the market. Example: The Taurus has the exact same front legroom as a Focus. Look at the Escape's dashboard! If it were any more 'puffed up' it'd be in the back seat! I drive a 2005 Taurus and NOTHING shy of a truck in the new Ford lineup can compete with it for interior driver dimensions. (I will concede that the new Taurus has slightly more hiproom; however, every other driver dimension is significantly reduced) I don't care how upscale an interior is. Once the word 'cramped' makes it's way into the description... game over.

I'm a huge fan of the current "box" model with ALL of its old technology and simple styling. It's like the old barber that's been cutting my hair for years. I knew some day he would retire and I would have to go down the street to the cool new hip hair salon where I don't know anyone. I've had a new escape every year since 2008 and I will need an impressive test drive to make me pry my fingers off my 2012!

I am not sure about this radical redesign? My impression was that folks that went for the Escape were looking for a small suv that has truck like looks, but decent gas mileage and ride. To me this like taking the F150 and giving it some swoopy front end. They need to come out with a Bronco for the Escape owner who won't be interested in this Focus station wagon.

I was buzzing about this car since last year when I found the FORD'S KUGA concept vehicle from 2008. Than I sent an email to ford asking if there are any plans to release this car. In response I got to be patient because new product is coming out. When I saw the Vertrek concept and spy photos I knew it Ford is making a right decision to bring the new and redesigned Escape. I will be definitely one of the first in the line to get the TITANIUM version of this vehicle. Thanks to Ford I can't wait to drive it.

...And I will never buy one cause of all that electro-nanny crap and the inability to deactivate it. I know this is all meant for your basic non-enthusiast who can barely tell the difference between a car and a blender, but it still pisses me off. As does the lack of AWD control from the cabin. Whatever happened to the 50/50 locker switch? What a shame.

My Escape Hybrid AWD gives me around 32 to 34 MPG around town. That's almost 50% MORE than what Ford is claiming their new 1.6-liter EcoBoost can do in similar driving (at only 22 MPG). Please bring back the Hybrid version for 2013 ! ! !

Looks pretty much like the Vertrek concept they showed months ago. So many people on MT loved the Vertrek concept and this new Escape has almost the same exact shape as the Vertrek. Also those who claim Ford is copying Kia or Hyundai need to do their homework. This is clearly based on Ford's original kinetic design. Dating back to the Kuga.

Looks too much like a Ford C-Max, and not enough like an ESCAPE. This doesn't inspire off-road capability, rather a more Korean-esque flavor of CUV on-road cheapness. I despise the new look, and will miss the V6.

I have a feeling it looks a lot better in person. In the pics, the front end does not look nearly as good as the concept. Someone mention "Kia Rondo" - that's what I thought too. Not a good look. I'll have to see it in person.However, from the back and sides, it looks good as well as the good looking interior.

That huge hump on the instrument cluster looks really out of place...I look forward to Ford repeating the same mistake they made with the Focus on this model. They will stock dealer lots with pricey Titanium models few people want to buy. Then 6 months later they will declare supply problems caused low sales, even though most Ford lots were bursting with high MSRP Focus models.

This doesn't look right. It looks artificial as if they took a regular Focus hatch and installed a lift kit, added the rugged front end and called it a day. It does looks like outlander, but the 3 grill openings are too much.

@Zando ... "for once ford did right?" ... r u out of ur f%%% mind? Do you even know the Ford lineup? May be thats too much for u... Pls spell Ford ... Jesus christ ... @SMITTY1981 ... agree with you ... 75% of morons here have no clue ...

The first picture I thought Kia Rondo..? I am not a big fan of the look. Ford has been on such a positive design run of late. The corporate design language does not translate well to this type of vehicle IMO. I do like the interior, seats look nice, but the guage nocells look a little "gimicky". It will sell well if they keep the prices for the well equiped models under 31K. The Equinox and Terrain start to push 40K when you load them up which is a little rediculous.